Protests in Kenya Inspire Ugandan and Nigerian Activists

Protests in Kenya Inspire Ugandan and Nigerian Activists
Protesters marching on the street during an anti-corruption protest in Kampala, Uganda, July 23, 2024 (AP photo by Hajarah Nalwadda).

In Kenya, anti-government protesters clashed with an emerging pro-government group yesterday, as demonstrations in Nairobi in which dozens have been killed by security forces enter their fifth week. (AP)

Meanwhile, in Uganda, security forces arrested dozens of protesters in Kampala yesterday as small groups inspired by the protests in Kenya attempted to stage their own anti-government demonstrations. And in Nigeria, calls are growing online for Kenyan-style protests on Aug. 1, prompting the country’s police chief to warn against the move. (AP; Reuters)

Our Take

The protests in Uganda, although small, are a notable development in a country where any meaningful political opposition has been shut down. Back in March, Michael Mutyaba covered an online anti-corruption protest campaign that had gained enough traction to get international attention. The campaign was and is a reflection of growing discontent in the country after nearly four decades of rule by President Yoweri Museveni. But it’s also a reflection of how little room there is for in-person activism, due to increasingly militarized responses to demonstrations.

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